Carmelo Agius, Birżebbugia
PL's (in)ability to garner EU support
Joseph Muscat is making a party of Martin Schulz's letter "pledging support" to Malta on illegal immigration.
Where was the support of Mr Schulz and his allies in the European Parliament when immigration was on the agenda in the past European legislature? Voting for illegal immigrants to get voting rights.
Did any of the Labour MEPs get any role whatsoever as regards immigration issues in the closing EP term? No. PL MEPs were hardly heard of with regard to this matter.
Were it not for Simon Busuttil, the Maltese interest would not have had any chance of even getting on the agenda. It was Dr Busuttil who pushed for the budget amendments for a burden sharing mechanism, it was Dr Busuttil who was nominated as rapporteur on the most critical dossier for our country - the report on immigration policy. Is it luck or coincidence? I suppose not. I suppose it boils down to hard work and the right attitude.
The right attitude, that which ensures you are on the Parliamentary Committees dealing with important issues for Malta, that you are present, and that you lobby colleagues to get support for the issues that matter for your country. The right attitude, that which puts substance before visibility and results before news.
It is far too easy to accuse the government of not doing enough and then be completely complacent, or rather happily impotent, at the European Parliament.
They are two different worlds after all, and the electorate can be led into the game by shading or hiding the complex truth that European Socialists are four square behind integration of immigrants in European society.
In that perspective the PL would rather have its MEP candidates making tens of promises concerning national politics and not EU Parliament matters.
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laurence schembri
May 5th 2009, 23:51
A resident permit is given in Malta on more or less the same day one buys a property.
Now, if one want to call this person an emigrant or a foreign resident it is up to him.
Freedom of Movement is given to all foreigners that applies. This will also give you a right to work, therefore also paying taxes, to my mind anyone that pays taxes in any country has a right to decide by vote what party he wishes to govern. To have this right taken away from you is undemocratic. It is getting a little confusing to decide who is an emigrant and who is not., at present we have hundreds if not thousands of Poles, Bulgarians, Romanians, even English working in Malta. Can anybody please enlighten me as to what shall we call these foreigners. According to Mr. Martinelli Malta does not accept legal emigrants, maybe he will be able to educate me on this matter.
Becky Galea
May 5th 2009, 21:06
The Maltese need to reflect about these issues and realise that ONLY the PN MEPs can represent and defend the Maltese population at EU Level. Simon Busuttil and David Casa have gained the respect of EU they have put Malta on the map and made our issues and problems heard by all EU countries. PL MEPs are only concerned with national politics - this won't get us anywhere - WE NEED TO BE RESPECTED AT EU LEVEL AND ONLY PN MEPS GO ALL TO WAY TO MAKE SURE THIS IS DONE!!!
We need to choose candidates who will focus on making EU politics beneficial for Malta and not just focus on their national party's political agenda!! PL proves incapable of being a constructive opposition so how can we trust the PL at EU level?
lgalea
May 5th 2009, 17:19
J Martinelli
What do you call those from the eu who come to settle in Malta Martinelli?
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
They only get the vote for local councils elections.
I am against immigrants from other eu countries being allowed to vote in Malta since they amount to a sizable proportion of Maltese citizens and can decide the outcome of the EP elections whatever way it goes. So it is in the interests of every Maltese citizen whather you are a PL, PN or whatever supporter that negotiations be held with the eu for an exemption from this requirement for Malta.
R. Caruana
May 5th 2009, 17:01
There are already enough LEGAL immigrants in Malta, that can be given the vote with this amendment by the EU parliament, to decide which party gets to govern. With such a thin majority as in the last election, both PN and PL should be very, very worried about this, as it is this small community that would be able to decide our next government, even with a handful of votes.
So, all those PL apologists who are trying to boo-hoo this away should better be careful. It's not true that those who pay taxes will have the right to vote; many housewives do not pay taxes, neither do those on the dole, or on the minimum wage, but if they are LEGAL immigrants then they will be given the vote.
And then Joseph Muscat and his Parliamentary group voted against allowing Maltese citizens to vote early because they will be away from the Island on voting day.
VERU LI HAWWADNI HA NIFMEK, PL
J Martinelli
May 5th 2009, 15:52
@ Robert Attard
Malta does not accept immigrants, legal or illegal, therefore the LP MEPs wasted a vote at best and had ulterior motives at worst. Or it could be their adulation for their Socialist friends since they seem to be the only ones who give some recognition to them.
The LP cannot clamour on one hand for the 'illegal immigrants' to be shipped out or 'quota'd out' and on the other hand be in favour of giving any immigrant the right to vote knowing that such an immigrant has to be given a resident permit and be a resident for 'a number of years'!
So, what is it going to be, sending the immigrants away at the first opportunity, or, keeping them long enough to give them resident status and eventually the vote?
Within the LP confusion reigns supreme, as always.
Muscat.Pat
May 5th 2009, 15:47
This is the repetition of the mantra from PIETA that the PL is in favour of illegal immigration! So much for national consensus! Please decide either consensus, or criticism! If PN criticizes PL it is patriotism, if PL criticize PN , this is lack of consensus! How childish and puerile!
V.Micallef
May 5th 2009, 14:36
Hear! Hear! Mr Attard, you hit the nail right on the head.
Etienne Bonanno
May 5th 2009, 11:10
@Robert Attard
In our case the line between illegal, irregular and legal is very thin indeed. An immigrant who has been granted refugee or humanitarian status is deemed to be here legally, and hence would have the right to vote, notwithstanding having come here uninvited and staying here ultimately as a burden on society.
Surely you must realise this. The situation being what it is, we do not have the luxury of equivocating between definitions.
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
May 5th 2009, 10:54
@ Robert Attard
Should legal Immigrants have the right to vote in National elections to decide Malta's Sovereignty? Or Malta's Sovereignty is no longer sacrosanct to the Maltese Socialist?
Robert Attard
May 5th 2009, 10:07
"Voting for illegal immigrants to get voting rights."
Nobody voted to have 'illegal' immigrants to have voting rights!! The socialist voted in favour of LEGAl immigrants that pay taxes like the rest of us and thus should have the right to vote!!!!
This letter shows how some (but not all) PN supporters are resorting to misinformation to thwart the minds of the gullible electorate!!!
YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!